Preview:Dillon Gee returns to the hill on Thursday when the New York Mets shoot for three-game series sweep against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field.

Gee was in the midst of a career-best season a year ago when a blood clot in his right shoulder forced him to undergo emergency surgery over the All-Star break in July, thus ending his season.

At the time of the injury, Gee was 6-7 with a 4.10 ERA.

Gee will try to follow up Matt Harvey's dominating performance from Wednesday. The former first round pick struck out 10 batters over seven scoreless innings, and the Mets rolled to an 8-4 win.

Ike Davis, Lucas Duda and John Buck each hit two-run homers to back up Harvey (1-0), who began his first full season by allowing just one hit and two walks. After crushing the Padres, 11-2, on Opening Day, the Mets will try to start a second straight season with a sweep on Thursday.

"He's got a presence on the mound that not everyone has," Davis said of the young hurler. "I'll tell you what, I wouldn't like to hit against the guy."

San Diego starter Clayton Richard (0-1), last season's National League leader in home runs allowed, gave up all three of New York's homers. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings, giving up eight runs -- seven earned -- on seven hits.

On Thursday, San Diego will pin its hopes on lefty Eric Stults, who was a pleasant surprise for the Padres last season. Claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox back in May, Stults posted an 8-3 record with a 2.92 ERA in 14 starts for San Diego.

However, he struggled a bit in spring, pitching to a 6.63 ERA in 19 innings.

"We need to get a win, no doubt about it," manager Bud Black said. "Stultzie has had a good couple of starts at the end of spring and he's capable of pitching a great game."